holiday hat round-up: 5 free hat patterns that I love

With less than 20 knitting days left until Christmas, you might be like me, and wondering what quick pattern can I knit to check off my gift list with style.

As a knitter, I like making hats because they are quick and make a great gift. I always get a warm reaction from my hat recipients because they are practical and used frequently with our chilly Canadian winters, yet they are also great going into fall and rolling into those cooler early spring months, too!

So, I've rounded up five of my favourite hat patterns that you can finish before Christmas, and which also happen to be available online for free! Here they are:

1. Conversationalist by Plucky Knitter

I like this pattern because it's a fun, colour block hat that is simple to knit while I watch TV or ride into work on the train. Plus, the pom is a must at the end!

2. Tiilda by Inese Sang

This hat screams winter. Chunky white cables, fluffy white snowball pom; it's a perfect ski hill hat! If you're just starting out with cables, this one has a simple pattern repeat and with a bulky yarn, you'll have it finished before you know it. Plus, if you're extra ambitious and love the pattern so much, Inese has drafted an accompanying mitten pattern also for free, too!

3. Snow Day Hat by Purl Soho

You can't go wrong with a classic folded brim rib hat, and Purl Soho's minimalist design is not only gift-able but so easy to knit on 10 mm needles. You can finish this baby in one weekend with plenty of time before Christmas to make a few more for everyone on your list, too.

4. Bonnet Rosalie by Petit bout de laine

If you haven't noticed already, I love cables and I love poms. Bonus that this hat is not only sweet looking as the name suggests but it is available for both adult and kids sizes. Don't be discourage by Audrey's French website. The free pattern is available in English and complete with charts. This hat is on my needles already!

5. Seathwaite by Kelbourne Woolens

This hat was originally designed for the Fringe Association hat-along series, which sounds like such a grand idea - a community of gift-able hat making all at once! This hat looks challenging but once you've got the pattern repeat down, it's smooth going and definitely attainable by December 25th!

So there you have it, my favourite picks of free hat patterns that you can make and gift by Christmas Day. If you have a favourite hat that I haven't found, please do share! I'd love to hear it.

Happy knitting, friends!

xo